media-releases

Labor Government Committed To Equality In The Legal Profession

Attorney-General Martin Pakula today released a report detailing the number of legal briefs provided to women barristers by the Victorian Government.

The Andrews Labor Government is committed to publishing the briefing figures annually, following the practice being dropped by the previous Liberal Government.

The Women Barristers Briefing Report 2009/10 – 2014/15 has identified that $32 million in fees were charged, with female barristers receiving around 25 per cent of these fees.

The new Government Legal Services Panel recently announced by Mr Pakula will require private firms contracted by the Government to report regularly on their briefing of female barristers, comply with the Victorian Bar’s Equal Opportunity Briefing Policy, and report on their equal opportunity arrangements in the workplace.

In-house legal units in government departments and agencies will also be required to record their briefs to barristers by gender, seniority and fees paid.

The Labor Government will release future data on an annual basis in comprehensive reports.